Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have been moving to the frontline as they take over security duties from the US-led NATO. The burden of responsibility has been heavier without adequate air support and equipment, which has been promised.
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have been moving to the frontline as they take over security duties from the US-led NATO. The burden of responsibility has been heavier without adequate air support and equipment, which has been promised. Now desertion has become yet another problem for troop morale.The provinces of Herat, Farah and Badghis in the west of the country are reporting the highest number of desertions. Soldiers mainly from the Afghan National Police (ANP) are leaving the service and either going home or joining the ranks of the Taleban. Roughly 100 men from the Afghan National Army (ANA), ANP and Afghan Local Police (ALP) have run away.
There are myriad reasons: tribal and religious discrimination, low salaries, security threats, influence of Taleban, poor intelligence gathering, and lack of commitment to guarantees given by the government.
Humaira Ayubi, member of parliamentfrom Farah, warns the desertions could have serious repercussions on security.
Failing commitments
Anti-government elements have infiltrated police in the districts of Bala Bolok, Bakwah, Khak-e-Safid and Posht Road in Farah.
Hajji Sayed Mohammad, district governor of Bala Bolok district, says only 20 days ago thecommander of an ANP post went over to the Taleban along with his weapons and ammunition, and a four-wheel drive.
Mohammad Younus Rasouli,deputy governor of Farah province says 10 ANP soldiers deserted in the first six months of the current year. The trend has shown an increase this year, he adds.
Rasouli has tried to find the root of the problem and thinks the lack of an effective mechanism to ensurepromises made were kept (of employment and security) is to blame. An ANP commander in Khak-e-Safid had given guarantees to some young men but when he himself was dismissed, he made his subordinate staff join the Taleban. According to Rasouli, this would never have happened if the job guarantees were “authentic”.
Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, governor of Herat told Killidin an exclusive interview that 10 ANP soldiers had deserted, but he thinks their reasons were personal. “It (desertion) is common in a war situation. Sometimes the police come under threat, or feel weak. Maybe their families face hard conditions that cause them to leave the service,” Wahidi says.
Tribal affiliations
Desertions are being reported in other western provinces including Badghis, Ghor and Nimroz. Provincial officials estimate 50 ANP and ALP have quit their posts without permission.
General Sharafuddin Sharaf, provincial police chief ofBadghis, says five soldiers from the ANP recently joined the ranks of the Taleban with whom they have a tribal affinity.
But he insists the number of desertions has come down ever since the police recruiting office took up the matter.
Killid tracked down and interviewed a policeman who had left his job a month ago in Bala Murghab district, Badghis.
His name is Abdul Hai. He said poor salaries and the indifference of the government to the problems of security forces were his reasons for joining the Taleban. He gave details of how he switched sides together with a friend. Both of them had contacted Mullah Dastageer, a local Taleban commander in Bala Murghab.
He says he was being paid 500 Afs (roughly 9 USD) daily by Mullah Dastageer to fight government forces. Monthly salaries are roughly 265 USD.Abdul Hai also admitted the salary was paid for by the Quetta Shura (council), which gets support from Pakistan’s secretive Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Military observers think poor living conditions of soldiers and the high-handed behaviour of senior officers could be other reasons for the disenchantment in the lower echelons of the police.
Yahya Foladi, military expert,echoes the same views. He feels the Taleban are able to provide better benefits than the government. “For instance the Quetta Shura sends every 10-member team 500,000 Pakistani rupees (4,750 USD) every month,” he says. “When a terror group is assigned to more than one district the benefits increase,” he adds.
Afghan soldiers earn between 10,000 and 12,000 Afs (210 USD). Abdul Hamid Hamidi, head of security in Herat, says it is high time salaries were revised.
Intelligence failure
There seems to be a connection between desertion and poor intelligence gathering. The Taleban have been able to infiltrate the ANSF with fake Tazkira (ID cards). Malyar Kakar, the head of Central Statistics Office of Herat says IDs are forged in Herat.
Abdul Rauf Nekmanesh, member of the National United Party of Afghanistan in Western Zone,says in the past intelligence gathering was very strong. “Those who wanted to enlist in the police were extensively investigated by intelligence agencies but now these institutions are weak and not serious about their work,” he says.
Mohammad Hadeed, a political analyst, believes the international community has not supported Afghan intelligence agencies. “No doubt that even the external forces are in contact with Taliban as evidence proves,” he alleges.
Some members of Herat provincial council fault the policy of recruiting surrendered Taleban into the ANSF. “Instead of taking these (surrendered Taleban) to court and convicting them, the government gives them benefits and identity,” says member Sayed Hussain Hussaini.But police in Herat say there can be no question of double-crossing. The biometric details of surrendered Taleban are maintained.
